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Washers and dryers are common household appliances that are sold in a variety of formats, ranging from standalone units that are installed side by side to units that stack on top of each other. They are also sold as multipurpose units with all-in-one features. Regardless of which style you are working with, there are a few basic guidelines to installing washers and dryers to ensure they operate at an optimal level.

Space

One of the basics when hooking up a washer and dryer is that you have to have sufficient space behind the units to accommodate for pipes and vents. As a general rule, this is around 4 inches behind the dryer, and the the washing machine usually matches that to line up the fronts of the two machines. This is regardless if they are stacked or side-by-side. When you are measuring for your washer and dryer, you need to include this minimum spacing if you plan on building a platform or if you are limited for space.

Water Supply

Hooking up a washing machine to the water supply lines varies slightly by make and model. Generally, the washer comes with included water hoses that are meant to be screwed onto the hot and cold water ports on the back of the washer and also the water spigots that stub up out of the floor or your laundry room wall. Alternatively, you can purchase these at a home improvement store in either braided hose format or rubber tubing format. The spigots and water ports are color-coated blue for cold and red for hot.

Drainage

Washing machines need to drain, so they are sold with a standpipe that attaches to the water outflow on the back of the washing machine. This pipe is then attached to the drain pipe for the laundry room, which in turn attaches to the drain pipe for the home. Another option for some laundry rooms is a floor drain with a filter on top, and the standpipe merely terminates directly above the drain cover, and the water passes through the filter and then into the floor drain.

Venting

Driers need to be able to vent the heat they generate when drying the clothing, and all laundry rooms include a laundry exhaust opening on the wall to the outside to keep the machine from overheating. The vent for the dryer uses flexible vent tubing to run from the back of the dryer to the exhaust port. These usually attach with circular, adjustable screw-clamps but can also be attached with foil tape. When you are maneuvering the dryer into place, make sure you do not pinch or crimp the tubing.

Additional Information

Sometimes stacked units are sold as one, or they may need to be attached with bolts and fasteners provided by the manufacturer. When you are putting these in place, ensure that they are properly fastened. Movement causes rattling and noise, as well as damage the machines themselves, so it is important to ensure the fasteners are locked in place securely. Use the adjustable legs under the washer and dryer to level the machines across their installation surface to avoid movement. You can build a platform out of two-by-fours and plywood sheeting if the floor is uneven and you need a level, flat base. Also bear in mind that not all dryers sold are electric. If you're installing a gas drier, your laundry room must have a gas line supplying natural gas from a utility company or from a propane tank. New gas lines must be pressure-checked and approved by a city inspector before connection and use.

About the Author

Tim Anderson has been freelance writing since 2007. His has been published online through GTV Magazine, Home Anatomy, TravBuddy, MMO Hub, Killer Guides and the Delegate2 group. He spent more than 15 years as a third-generation tile and stone contractor before transitioning into freelance writing.